Chapter 2
Reassessment of Urban Sustainability
and Food Security in the Light
of COVID-19
Basu Anindya and Kar Nabendu Sekhar
Abstract The world which is now dominated by cities has to address the issue of
urban sustainability. Though the ecology of the cities is deeply influenced by urban
agriculture, the discussions about that has not been included with due importance in
the urban planning discourse emphasising on smart cities. The need for self-reliant
cities has been felt deeply by all when the world was struck by the global pandemic
COVID-19, which halted the normal supply chain creating a panic in the urban areas
that primarily are consumption-oriented. The need for modern version of ‘back-yard
gardening’ is being reconsidered to add to the viability of the bustling cities. In the
context of the COVID-19 situation, this article tries to identify the issue of food
security in today’s modern cities and to assess the practical avenues available to
achieve self-reliance and sustainability. Urban food production is not only a matter
of scientific curiosity but now has become an urban policy issue and development
tool. Both change in urban developmental plans and ‘urban’ mindset in the ‘new
normal’ will help the cities in encountering the coming hard days and be prepared
for such outbreaks in future, making cities truly smart and sustainable.
Keywords Smart cities · Sustainability · Food security · Urban farming ·
COVID-19
2.1 Introduction
‘Change is one thing; progress is another. Change is scientific, progress is ethical.
Change is indubitable, whereas progress is a matter of controversy’ Bertrand Russell
(1872–1970).
B. Anindya (B)
Department of Geography, Diamond Harbour Women’s University, Diamond Harbour, India
e-mail: basu_anindya2004@yahoo.com
K. N. Sekhar
Department of Geography, Shahid Matangini Hazra Government College for Women, Kulberia,
India
e-mail: naba1224@gmail.com
© The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021
C. Chakraborty et al. (eds.), The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Green Societies,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-66490-9_2
31
Reassessment of Urban Sustainability
and Food Security in the Light
of COVID-19
Basu Anindya and Kar Nabendu Sekhar
Abstract The world which is now dominated by cities has to address the issue of
urban sustainability. Though the ecology of the cities is deeply influenced by urban
agriculture, the discussions about that has not been included with due importance in
the urban planning discourse emphasising on smart cities. The need for self-reliant
cities has been felt deeply by all when the world was struck by the global pandemic
COVID-19, which halted the normal supply chain creating a panic in the urban areas
that primarily are consumption-oriented. The need for modern version of ‘back-yard
gardening’ is being reconsidered to add to the viability of the bustling cities. In the
context of the COVID-19 situation, this article tries to identify the issue of food
security in today’s modern cities and to assess the practical avenues available to
achieve self-reliance and sustainability. Urban food production is not only a matter
of scientific curiosity but now has become an urban policy issue and development
tool. Both change in urban developmental plans and ‘urban’ mindset in the ‘new
normal’ will help the cities in encountering the coming hard days and be prepared
for such outbreaks in future, making cities truly smart and sustainable.
Keywords Smart cities · Sustainability · Food security · Urban farming ·
COVID-19
2.1 Introduction
‘Change is one thing; progress is another. Change is scientific, progress is ethical.
Change is indubitable, whereas progress is a matter of controversy’ Bertrand Russell
(1872–1970).
B. Anindya (B)
Department of Geography, Diamond Harbour Women’s University, Diamond Harbour, India
e-mail: basu_anindya2004@yahoo.com
K. N. Sekhar
Department of Geography, Shahid Matangini Hazra Government College for Women, Kulberia,
India
e-mail: naba1224@gmail.com
© The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021
C. Chakraborty et al. (eds.), The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Green Societies,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-66490-9_2
31